- Explosions heard in Damascus as Israel carries out aerial bombardments ‘on strategic areas’ across Syria, including in and around Damascus.
- The streets of Syria’s cities and towns are flooded with demonstrations celebrating the fall of Bashar al-Assad, after tens of thousands gathered at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus for the first Friday prayers since his ouster.
- Jordan will host a crisis summit on Syria over the weekend to be attended by top diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Turkiye, the US, the European Union and the UN.
- The UN envoy for Syria says images emerging from the notorious Sednaya Prison and other detention facilities show the “unimaginable barbarity” suffered by Syrians for years.
Scholz says ‘goes without saying’ that ‘integrated’ Syrians can stay in Germany
German chancellor has put out a video message in part addressing Syrians in the country – the largest Syrian Diaspora community outside of the Middle East.
“Many Syrians have successfully put down roots here in Germany. Some 5,000 Syrian doctors are working in our hospitals alone,” Scholz said in the clip posted on X.
“Some statements made in recent days have deeply unsettled our fellow citizens of Syrian origin. So what I want to tell you today is this: Anyone who is working here, anyone who is well integrated, is and will remain welcome in Germany. That goes without saying,” the German leader said.
“Some of the refugees hope that they will soon be able to return to their homeland. We will support that, too, as soon as the situation allows,” Scholz continued.
Germany is home to more than 1 million Syrians, many of whom fled the war in their home country.